Sales up at Hereford's new livestock market

Like-for-like sales compared with numbers from last year show the Roman Road site has shifted more animals since moving from the cattle market off Edgar Street in June than at the same stage of 2010.

Compared to June and July last year, a quarter more animals went under the hammer each month, and in August this year, the number rocketed to 38 per cent more animals sold compared to the same month a year ago.

The figures were revealed when Herefordshire Council met last Friday at Hereford’s Shirehall.

A question on sales at the new livestock market was asked by Councillor Dave Greenow, and statistics were given in a response by cabinet member Coucillor Adrian Blackshaw.

He said the total number of animals sold at the old livestock market site – which was vacated earlier this year to make way for a major redevelopment incorporating new leisure and retail facilities – stood at 114,949 for the whole of 2010.

This year, between June and November, the total number of animals sold stands at 136,656.

The biggest single increase – 72.3 per cent – was in the number of store cattle passing through the market, with a 62.6 per cent increase in the number of cows and calves.

There were 23 per cent more store lambs, 55 per cent more pigs and 44 per cent more barren cows.

“The market plays a hugely significant role in the economy of the county and the figures are a massive confirmation that it was right to provide farmers with modern facilities on a site outside the city centre,”

said Coun Blackshaw.

“Interestingly, the auctioneers report the greatest increase of new customers coming from the Bromyard to Worcester area, which is a significant part of the county now attracting more farmers who were selling animals at other locations.”

Demolition is due to begin on the old livestock market in January when the developers, Stanhope, will begin construction of a new multiplex cinema and retail quarter, including Waitrose and Debenhams.